Label-manipulating device



(No Model) J STITES. LABEL MANIPULATING DEVICE.

Patented Jan 1, 1895.

UNITED STATES JOHN STITES, OF SALEM, OREGON.

LABEL-MANIPULATING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 531,812, dated January 1, 1895.

Application filed July 10, 1894. Serial No. 517,144:- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN STITES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Salem, in the county of Marion and State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful Label-Manipulating Device, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an appliance for holding labels while they are being covered with mucilage or other adhesive compound, and for permitting them to be attached to the device with which they are used.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 represents a perspective View of my invention; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section thereof; Fig. 3, a bottom plan View; Fig. 4, a detail perspective of one of the removable base portions; Fig. 5, a similar view of a dilferent size base plate or portion.

The reference numeral 1 indicates the base portion of my improved device, and this consists of a block of molded rubber provided with the beveled edges 2, which extend around its square sides and which are adapted to co operate with the oppositely-beveled edges 3 of the removable plates 4. The plates 4 will vary in size and are adapted to be substituted one for another, to the end that the plane bot tom portion of the base 1 may be enlarged or diminished according to the size of label manipulated, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The beveled edges 2 of the base 1 are formed adjacent to the shoulders 5, which extend around said edges and which are adapted to have the plates bear thereagainst. By these means the plates 4. are securely held in place; and the plates are affixed and detached from the edges 2 by springing them over the rubber composing the two parts. This operation is possible, owing to the resiliency with which the parts are endowed.

Formed in the base 1, and extending vertically therein, is the opening 6, which has its lower end terminating a short distance above the bottom side of the base 1 and communicating with the three smaller openings 7, which pass through to the under side of the base. Located in the opening 6 is the tube 8, which projects above the base and is formed with an enlargement 9 thereon. The enlargement 9 is adapted to pass into the neck 10 of the bulb 11, such neck being arranged to contract upon the enlargement 9 and thereby hold the bulb in place. By these means the bulb 11 is connected to the base and made to deliver its blast into the opening 6, from whence it passes out the openings 7.

It will be understood that the plates 4 are constructed of difierent sizes, so that the bottom portion of the device may be made ofa size which will suit the size of label manipulated.

In the use of my invention the plate l, which is best adapted to the size of the label, is placed upon the beveled edges 2 of the base portion 1, after which the bulb ll is compressed so as to exclude the air therefrom, and the base of the device pressed into engagement with the face of the label. The bulb should now be released, whereupon the pressure of the atmosphere, owing to the vacuum in the bulb and to the spring tendency which the bulb has to expand, will cause the label to remain in engagement with the base, thus permitting its back to be covered with the mucilage or whatever adhesive substance is used. After the mucilage has been applied, the label may be pasted or pressed into engagement with the bottle or other article upon which the label is to be affixed, whereupon the mucilage on the label will adhere. The withdrawal of the device is next in order, and this may be done since the force of the mucilage will be sufficient to overcome the strength of the bulb. By forming the base portion 1 and the plates if of molded soft india rubber, they may be bent to conform to the shape of the object to which the label is to be affixed. Thus, if the label is affixed to a bottle having a round surface, the base may be bent to conform thereto so as to press the label into engagement with the bottle at every point and insure aiiixing the label to the bottle.

I have shown my invention embodied in specific details of construction, and regard these as best adapted to the practice of my invention. It is obvious, however, that my invention is subject to various changes in the size and proportion of its parts, which may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Therefore I do not propose to limit myself to the precise construction herein shown, but consider myself entitled to all such variations as come within the scope of my claims.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. A device for manipulating labels, and comprising in its structure a resilient bulb provided at one end with an opening surrounded by a resilient neck, a soft rubber base plate provided with a passage extending through it, and a metallic tube provided at one end with a fiange which is buried in the rubber of the base plate, whereby the tube is held in place, the said tube .being in communication with the passage of the base plate and having its remaining end extending above the base plate and provided with an enlargement or head over which the resilient neck of the bulb is sprung and to which the bulb is permanently secured through the medium of said resilient neck, substantially as described.

2. A device for manipulating, labels, and comprising in its structure a bulb, a soft rubber base plate having an opening or passage therein with which the'bulb communicates,

the bulb being secured to the base plate, and an auxiliary plate provided with a central opening capable of receiving the base plate,

the auxiliary plate being removably secured to the base plate and forminga continuation thereof by springing said auxiliary plate on the edges of the base plate, substantially as described.

3. A device for manipulating labels, and comprising in its structure a bulb, a baseplate to which the bulb is secured, the base plate having therein a passage communicating with the interior of the bulb, and the edges of the base plate being formed with the shoulders 5 at their upper portions and with the beveled portions 2 below said shoulders, and an auxiliary plate 4 having its central portion formed with an opening conforming to the shape of the base plate and having the beveled edges 3 disposed oppositely to the edges 2, the said auxiliary plate being sprung over the beveled edges of the base plate and held in place by the shoulders 5 of said base plate, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

' JOHN STITES.

Witnesses:

W. T. WILLIAMSON, Roscoe SANDERSON. 

